|
Post by Esmeralda on Mar 3, 2009 12:38:22 GMT -5
Esmeralda reached out at patted Anastasia's hand.
"I'm sure you'll get another chance," she said with absurd certainty. "I'm sure he'll understand."
|
|
|
Post by Anastasia on Mar 3, 2009 12:44:06 GMT -5
She gave her hand a squeeze.
"Thank you. I am determined to find him when I return to Paris."
|
|
|
Post by Esmeralda on Mar 3, 2009 12:58:48 GMT -5
Esmeralda beamed at her.
"Do you hear that, Djali? True love is relying on your mission."
The goat, untroubled by this assertion, merely shook his ears.
|
|
|
Post by Anastasia on Mar 3, 2009 14:50:04 GMT -5
Anastasia smiled and affectionately patted Djali on the head.
"No pressure."
|
|
|
Post by Esmeralda on Mar 3, 2009 14:55:03 GMT -5
"He'll be fine," Esmeralda replied in a sing-song voice. She sighed. She was bored. ((I have no idea what we're doing with this. ))
|
|
|
Post by Anastasia on Mar 3, 2009 15:10:45 GMT -5
((Moar fast-forwards? Get to nighttime!))
**LATER**
Although Anastasia took extra care to act normal that day, she needn't have bothered. None of the eunuchs suspected anything about what she and Esmeralda had planned, and the King seemed not to know a thing about it, either. So it was that night came, and dinner came and went.
And the hour approached.
Anastasia was sitting outside in the gardens, having quietly slipped out there in a moment when the eunuchs were distracted. She hadn't taken Djali with her, since it would definitely be noticed if the only goat had disappeared. She was waiting until lights out.
|
|
|
Post by Esmeralda on Mar 3, 2009 15:27:41 GMT -5
Esmeralda waited inside, humming to Djali and patting him mercilessly. She would miss him so! But he had an important job to do. She carefully slid the note into the weave of the collar around his neck, and waited some more.
When it was dark, and everyone was lounging about or dozing off, and the eunuchs were involved in some discussion Esmeralda couldn't understand more than a few words of, she slipped out, cradling the goat to her, to join Anastasia.
|
|
|
Post by Anastasia on Mar 3, 2009 15:45:05 GMT -5
When she heard Esmeralda approach, she quickly got to her feet.
"This way, through these trees." She said, leading the way.
They'd be screened from view, once they got back there, and it was also where she'd found the spot for Djali to escape over.
|
|
|
Post by Esmeralda on Mar 3, 2009 15:48:05 GMT -5
Esmeralda glanced around nervously, but walked with confidence, stepping lightly and silently as was her habit. She did not put Djali down until she knew his feet would make no sound.
She was grateful to know someone like Anastasia, who could help. And write.
Djali trotted along, all-unknowing of the use to which he would soon be put.
|
|
|
Post by Anastasia on Mar 3, 2009 16:16:49 GMT -5
At last they'd reached the wall that faced the downward slope. Anastasia stared up at it. The distance on the other side wouldn't be a problem, since it wasn't at all sharp, but they'd still have to get Djali up there.
"This is going to take some juggling...maybe if I climb up the tree halfway...you could hand me Djali..."
|
|
|
Post by Esmeralda on Mar 3, 2009 16:55:51 GMT -5
Esmeralda eyed the tree.
"How are you at climbing?" she asked. "I'm pretty good."
|
|
|
Post by Anastasia on Mar 3, 2009 17:41:10 GMT -5
"I'm fairly good, but I don't think well enough to handle a goat while in a tree."
|
|
|
Post by Esmeralda on Mar 3, 2009 17:51:24 GMT -5
"Let me," Esmeralda said. "Then I can say goodbye to him properly."
She started up the tree, her dancer's body willowy and graceful in this as in all things. Finding a strong branch, she leaned in what seemed like a dangerous direction to reach for Djali.
"Hand him up," she said softly. "I can get him over."
|
|
|
Post by Anastasia on Mar 3, 2009 21:36:41 GMT -5
Giving the goat an encouraging pat, she carefully picked him up and handed him over to Esmeralda.
|
|
|
Post by Esmeralda on Mar 4, 2009 10:44:44 GMT -5
Esmeralda grabbed him, the goat struggling slightly at the odd position he found himself in. She held him close, and whispered to him,
"Find help, my love, and come back to me. Do be safe, Djali."
She kissed his forehead and lifted him to the top of the wall. The goat found his footing, looked back at her, bleated once, and disappeared over the edge. When she couldn't see him any more, Esmeralda's shoulders slumped, deflated.
|
|